Surgical treatment for ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

A ten year community hospital experience of 124 patients with ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas proved at biopsy is reported. All patients underwent a celiotomy, and 94 per cent were observed until death. All of the patients were stratified by stage (I, 9 per cent; II, 30 per cent; III, 18 per cent, and IV, 43 per cent). Nine of the patients with Stage I disease underwent resection with a high postoperative mortality rate of 44 per cent and only one five year survivor. Fifty-nine patients with Stages II and III disease underwent biliary bypass with a low postoperative mortality rate of 2 per cent. Bypass of the common bile duct (N = 24) provided more permanent palliation against recurrent jaundice or cholangitis (p less than 0.05), but did not improve the survival time when compared with bypass of the gallbladder (N = 20). This was not true for those with Stage IV disease in whom recurrent jaundice did not develop in those with either bypass of the gallbladder or common duct. Adding prophylactic gastroenterostomy (GE) to biliary bypass (N = 25) conferred no survival benefit, but did protect against subsequent duodenal obstruction (p less than 0.05). Thirty-seven per cent of the 38 patients in whom a GE was not performed had duodenal obstruction develop. Adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy in 22 patients with unresectable Stages II and III disease resulted in a significant prolongation of survival time compared with 15 untreated patients in the control group (p less than 0.05). Fifty-one patients with Stage IV disease underwent biliary bypass or biopsy of the tumor resulting in a 14 per cent postoperative mortality rate and a median survival time of four months. Nine per cent of the 44 survivors with Stage IV disease lived at least one year. The implications of these findings to clinical practice are discussed.     

The impact of technology and improved perioperative management upon survival from carcinoma of the pancreas

A community hospital experience of 238 instances of carcinoma of the pancreas during a 23 year period has been reviewed to see if there has been any change in survival, hospital stay, morbidity and operative strategy during the two decades included in this study as a result of improved diagnostic modalities and perioperative management. The results of this review indicate an increasing incidence of carcinoma of the pancreas in the second half of the study but also document a large number of patients whose diagnosis has been unsuspected until autopsy. The mortality for palliative bypass procedures dropped significantly in the second half of the study and provided a mean survival time of 7.6 months for this group of patients, approximately twice that of patients explored without palliation. Resectional procedures showed a very significant drop in mortality rate in the second half of the study and were used more extensively. Mean survival time of patients undergoing resectional procedures was 18.3 months with two prolonged survivors out of 22 patients. Significant operative morbidity remains a major problem and the chief cause of protracted postoperative stay and did not diminish in the second half of this study. Complications were primarily technical in nature. With this in mind, consideration should be given to concentrating the experience in pancreatic resectional operations in the hands of a limited number of surgeons within any given community.     

Palliative surgical treatment of sixty-eight patients with carcinoma of the head of the pancreas

A retrospective study is presented of 68 patients who underwent biliary enteric bypass procedures for carcinoma of the head of the pancreas between the years of 1960 through 1975. Forty patients underwent some form of biliary enteric bypass only. Twenty-six patients were treated with concomitant gastrojejunostomy, and only two patients in this group underwent vagotomy. Two patients underwent gastrojejunostomy for obstruction at the gastric outlet without jaundice. Five operative deaths occurred among the 40 patients who underwent solely some form of biliary enteric bypass procedure, and three deaths occurred among the 26 patients who underwent concomitant gastrojejunostomy. The over-all operative mortality for biliary enteric bypass procedures was eight deaths among 68 patients. Obstruction of the duodenum developed in seven patients after undergoing a biliary enteric bypass operation. The mean postoperative interval for the development of complications was 5.57 months. All but one patient underwent a second operation, with no operative deaths. Among the 26 patients treated with concomitant gastrojejunostomy, obstruction developed in two patients because of anastomotic failure; there was massive upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding from a marginal ulcer in four patients, and one patient had a perforated marginal ulcer. The mean survival time after biliary enteric bypass was 6.69 months and after combined biliary enteric bypass and gastrojejunostomy, 9.90 months. The over-all mean survival time was 8.00 months.     

Immediate versus delayed hysterectomy for endometrial carcinoma: surgical morbidity and hospital stay

Presented is a retrospective review of the intraoperative complications, postoperative morbidity, and length of hospitalization in 138 patients with stage I endometrial carcinoma treated at Yale-New Haven Hospital from January 1, 1977 to December 31, 1981. One group (stage IA, grade 1) was treated with surgery alone; two groups were treated with preoperative intracavitary radium, followed with either an immediate or a delayed hysterectomy. The three groups were comparable in age, weight, and major preoperative medical problems. The mean estimated blood loss during surgery and transfusion requirements during hospitalization were similar for all three groups. The duration of the surgery in the immediate group was longer than the other two groups. The occurrence of febrile morbidity and major postoperative complications in the three groups was similar, except for bacteriuria, which was significantly more common in the immediate group. The length of the postoperative hospitalization was the same for each group; however, the delayed group as compared with the immediate group had a total hospitalization of two days longer. Hence, in the current study, immediate hysterectomy did not significantly increase the surgical or postoperative morbidity rate, compared with delayed hysterectomy. The single hospital stay in the former treatment group represented cost containment.     

One stage hepaticocholecystojejunostomy as an easy and long term effective bilioenteric bypass for unresectable carcinoma of the pancreas

A new anastomotic technique was used as an initial operation for jaundice due to an unresectable carcinoma of the pancreas. This bypass operation consisted of interposition of the gallbladder between the common hepatic duct and the jejunum by which bile drainage was excellently facilitated.     

The timing of antibiotics at cesarean: a randomized controlled trial

We compared maternal and neonatal outcomes in women who received prophylactic antibiotics prior to skin incision to those who received antibiotics at cord clamp. We performed a randomized clinical trial at two sites. Eligible women included those undergoing nonemergency cesarean at 36 weeks' gestation or greater. Subjects were randomized (permuted blocks) into one of two treatments: "preoperative antibiotics" (cefazolin 1 g given <30 minutes prior to skin incision) or "intraoperative antibiotics" (cefazolin 1 g at cord clamping). Patients who reported an allergy to penicillin received clindamycin 900 mg. The trial primary outcome was a composite of maternal infectious morbidities, defined as having any one of the following: (1) postoperative fever (defined as oral temperature >38°C on two separate occasions more than 6 hours apart, after the initial 24-hour postoperative period); (2) wound infection (defined as purulent discharge from the incision); (3) endomyometritis (defined as fundal tenderness and fever malodorous lochia, fever); (4) urinary tract infection (defined as fever, positive urine culture). We enrolled a total of 434 subjects in this study, with 217 in each group. Overall, we found no difference in composite maternal infectious morbidity between those who received antibiotics preoperatively and those who received antibiotics at cord clamp (relative risk = 1.2, 95% confidence interval 0.7 to 1.5). Neonatal outcomes were also similar between the two intervention arms. The rate of suspected sepsis was similar between the two groups. There were no cases of antibiotic resistance in the neonates. Either preoperative antibiotic therapy or antibiotic administration after cord clamp is a reasonable clinical method for reducing the risk of postcesarean infectious morbidity.     

The natural history of carcinoma of the bile duct in patients less than forty-five years of age.

Traditionally regarded as a disease of the elderly, the natural history of carcinoma of the bile duct in young patients has not been well defined. Of 186 patients (mean age of 62 years) treated at UCLA (1954 to 1988) for carcinoma of the bile duct, 26 were less than 45 years old. Younger patients had symptoms for an average of 4.5 +/- 0.8 months prior to diagnosis, as compared with 2.3 +/- 0.2 months for patients more than 45 years old (p less than 0.03). Of the younger patients, 96 per cent were managed surgically with either resection, surgical palliative bypass or laparotomy and tube drainage. Among the younger patients who underwent resections, 92 per cent were alive at one year, as compared with 60 per cent of patients who underwent palliative bypass procedures. Two patients who underwent tumor resections survived four years or longer. We conclude that carcinoma of the bile duct is not limited to the elderly and occurs in a significant number of young patients. In the younger population, carcinoma of the bile duct is characterized by delays in diagnosis. Early suspicion and aggressive management of young patients with obstructive jaundice are essential to ensure the best possible outcome for patients with this disease.     

Operative and functional results of total mesorectal excision with ultra-low anterior resection in the management of carcinoma of the lower one-third of the rectum.

Eighty-one patients underwent anterior resection with curative (n = 57) or palliative (n = 24) intent for tumors below 7 centimeters from the anal verge. If a right angled clamp could be applied below the tumor at operation after full mobilization of the mesorectum and rectum, the procedure was performed in preference to abdominoperineal excision. The mean follow-up time was 4.8 years. Of the curative group, 26 had lesions within 5 centimeters of the anal verge. Thirty-one per cent were Dukes' A; 37 per cent, B, and 32 per cent, C lesions. The margin of distal clearance ranged from 2 to 35 millimeters. In five patients, squamous mucosa was observed in the distal doughnut. Serious postoperative complications occurred in 17 per cent of the curative series, one-half of which occurred within the first two years of the study period. In six patients, the temporary colostomy has not been closed. The incidence of local recurrence in the curative series was 3.5 per cent, and the over-all survival rate was 81 per cent at five years. Full continence was achieved within two years of closure of the colosomy in 85 per cent of the patients. In the palliative group, 11 of the 19 patients had temporary colostomies and 80 per cent were continent within six months of operation. The technique of total mesorectal excision and sphincter preservation by stapled coloanal anastomosis in the treatment of carcinomas of the lower one-third of the rectum may be an alternative to abdominoperineal excision. The final decision in such instances is made intraoperatively. The operative and functional results are satisfactory, but it is difficult to anticipate the patients who will not do well by preoperative criteria. Even in palliative procedures, low anterior resections provided satisfactory continence. Serious postoperative complications were more likely to occur if full mobilization of the splenic flexture was not routinely performed.     

Endoscopic approaches in the diagnosis of obstructive jaundice--with special reference to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Duodenofiberscopy with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed in 102 patients with obstructive jaundice. Peritoneoscopy and peritoneoscopic cholecystocholangiography were done in patients whose ERCP was inconclusive. The causes of obstructive jaundice were carcinoma of the pancreas in 14 cases, carcinoma of the papilla of Vater in 12 cases, choledocholithiasis in 37 cases, carcinoma of the common bile duct in seven cases, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in seven cases, intrahepatic cholestasis in three cases and miscellaneous causes in eight cases. No final diagnosis was made in 14 patients. The duodenofiberscopic examination with biopsy revealed the cause of obstructive jaundice directly in eight cases, when carcinoma of the pancreas or papilla of Vater extended to the duodenal mucosal surface. In 34 of the 37 patients with choledocholithiasis, ERCP alone was successful in making the diagnosis. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and ERCP were used together to reach a diagnosis in the remaining three patients. We propose a classification for HCC on ERCP which may be useful for the study of icteric type HCC.     

Radical hysterectomy for treatment of cervical cancer: a prospective study of two methods of closed-suction drainage.

Two closed-suction drainage methods were prospectively compared in 96 patients after radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy in stage IB cervical cancer. In group 1 (n = 49) two pelvic sidewall drains and a vaginal drain were used, and in group 2 (n = 47) only the vaginal drain was used. The groups were similar for mean age, preoperative weight, hemoglobin and serum albumin level, operating time, operative blood loss, and blood transfusions. The febrile morbidity rates and the operative site infection rates were similar in the two groups. Ninety vaginal drains were removed by day 3. By day 6 55% of patients in group 1 had at least one sidewall drain, with a mean drainage of 150 ml/day. The median postoperative stay was similar in both groups. A pelvic lymphocyst developed in one patient in each group. The single vaginal closed-suction drain is safe, efficient, more acceptable to patients, and more cost-effective.     

A comparison of outcome after resection for squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas of the esophagus and cardia.

Among 625 patients with squamous cell carcinoma and 134 patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and cardia, a one stage resection was performed upon 375 patients of the squamous carcinoma group (excluding pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy) and 92 patients in the adenocarcinoma group. The patients formed the basis of the current analysis. Male to female ratio was 7:1 for those with squamous carcinoma compared with 3.6:1.0 for those with adenocarcinoma (p = 0.037). Most squamous carcinomas were located in the middle one-third (56.3 percent) and lower one-third (33.0 percent) of the esophagus. Adenocarcinomas were predominantly found at the cardia (91.3 percent) and lower one-third (6.5 percent). Postoperatively, respiratory complications occurred in 34.4 percent of patients in the group with squamous carcinoma and in 19.6 percent of patients in the group with adenocarcinoma (p = 0.01). Cardiac complications occurred in 28.3 percent of patients in the group with squamous carcinoma and in 16.3 percent of patients in the group with adenocarcinoma (p = 0.03). Anastomotic leaks were uncommon for both groups (4.3 and 5.4 percent, respectively). Anastomotic recurrence occurred in 6.1 and 7.6 percent of patients, respectively. Respiratory complications, malignant cachexia and sepsis accounted for most of the deaths in the hospital. The 30 day mortality rates for patients with squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma were comparable (4.8 and 6.5 percent, respectively) (p = 0.33). After 30 days, mortality rates differed significantly (11.7 and 3.3 percent, respectively) (p = 0.026). The overall hospital mortality rates, however, were comparable (16.5 and 9.8 percent, respectively) (p = 0.14). The overall five year survival rate for both groups was 15 percent. For patients with squamous carcinomas, the five year survival rate after curative resection was 31 percent compared with 5 percent for palliative resection. For patients with adenocarcinomas, the respective five year survival rates were 35 and zero percent. It was concluded that the two types of tumor differ significantly in the incidence of postoperative morbidity, but mortality and the long term survival rates were similar.     

Laparoscopic coagulation of the uterine blood supply in laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy is associated with less blood loss

BACKGROUND: Does laparoscopic coagulation of the uterine blood supply decrease blood loss compared with transvaginal ligature of the uterine vessels? METHODS: Intra- and postoperative data of 446 patients undergoing laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy at the Department of Gynecology, University of Jena, between 1998 and 2001 were analysed. In 213 patients the uterine blood supply was transected laparoscopically at the origin of the uterine vessels (LAVH type II) and in 233 patients (LAVH type I) transvaginally. RESULTS: Patients in both groups were comparable with respect to median age, Quetelet index, and parity. The drop of hemoglobin between the preoperative day and postoperative day 3 was 0.8 mmol/l or 0.6 mmol/l for LAVH type I without or with BSO vs 0.3 mmol/l or 0.4 mmol/l for LAVH type II without or with BSO (p = 0.001), respectively. Median operative time was similar for both techniques: LAVH type I 136 min or with BSO 128 min vs LAVH type II 126 min or with BSO 131 min. The weight of the removed uteri was significantly lower in LAVH type I vs type II (220 vs 270 grams), but similar when LAVH was combined with BSO (160 vs 178 grams). The rate of intraoperative complications was 2.2% vs 0.9% between LAVH type I or II (n.s.), but 9% vs 3.3% for overall postoperative complications (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic coagulation of the uterine blood supply at the origin of uterine vessels is a safe technique which minimizes blood loss in LAVH. In patients with a low preoperative hemoglobin value this technique is indicated.     

Resectional surgical procedures for carcinoma of the head of the pancreas

Of a total series of 103 patients with preoperatively diagnosed carcinoma of the head of the pancreas (including ampullary carcinoma, carcinoma of the distal part of the common bile duct and pancreatic duct and acinar cell carcinoma), 78 underwent pancreatic resection. The remaining 25 had palliative surgical treatment, either a gastric or biliary bypass, and are not included in the present study. Three of the 78 patients who underwent pancreatic resection died, and ten patients required early reoperation. Predictive criteria could be formulated for the prognosis and outcome of the patients with carcinoma of the head of the pancreas. The most reliable index for survival time of the patients proved to be the radicality of the resection, which was directly related to the differentiation of the primary tumor. Forty-three of 48 patients who underwent radical resection are alive, with a survival time ranging from three to 49 months. Eleven of 23 patients who underwent palliative resection are alive, with a survival time ranging from two to 29 months. Of 44 patients with well or moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma who underwent radical resection, 38 are alive, with a survival time ranging from six to 41 months (mean of 29 months).     

Treatment of carcinoma of the proximal esophagus

Selection of therapy for carcinoma of the proximal esophagus is controversial. We reviewed our experience with 41 patients with carcinoma of the esophagus within 24 centimeters of the incisor teeth to address this issue. Thirty-seven patients had squamous cell carcinoma, three had adenocarcinoma and one patient had a mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Seventeen patients underwent surgical therapy, which consisted of a resection in 15, colonic bypass in one patient and extracorporeal bypass in one. Ten patients underwent postoperative radiation therapy. Radiation therapy was the primary treatment in 23 patients and chemotherapy alone in one patient. The three month mortality rate was similar for patients with tumor resection and for those receiving radiation therapy as the primary treatment. Median survival time for patients undergoing resection and adjuvant radiation therapy was 12 months and seven months for those receiving only irradiation. Statistical analyses were not performed because patients with radiation only had more advanced disease, invalidating comparison. In terms of palliation, ten of the patients who had radiation therapy could eat solid food, seven could only swallow liquids and six had persistent, complete obstruction. All 12 of the survivors who had a resection were able to eat solid food. Although the one month mortality rate is higher for those treated surgically than with radiation therapy, the three month mortality rates are similar. Surgical treatment provides better palliation and a reasonable survival time and is preferred for patients with resectable disease who are physiologically fit enough to undergo operation. A benefit of postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy is undefined but probably present.     

Second look operation in managing carcinoma of the pancreas and periampullary region

From a total of 153 patients with carcinoma of the periampullary region and of the head of the pancreas, 127 underwent surgical treatment. There were 79 men and 48 women with a mean age of 65 years (a range of 39 to 90 years). Of these, 26 had resectional operations. Fifteen were carried out at the initial laparotomy and 11 at a second look operation (SLO). Of the 112 patients who had a palliative bypass at the initial laparotomy, 30, who were less than 65 years of age and were fit and remained so when assessed at six and 12 weeks postoperatively, were re-evaluated for SLO. Of these, 12 had evidence of metastases and, therefore, were not considered for SLO. Eleven had a successful resection, and in seven, attempted resection had to be abandoned because of local invasion. The five year survival rate was 50 per cent for carcinoma of the periampullary region and 9 per cent for carcinoma of the head of the pancreas after primary resection. The comparable rates after SLO were 33.3 and 12.5 per cent, respectively. Based on our experience, SLO should be considered in young, fit patients as associated pancreatitis can make some tumors seem locally invasive and, hence, appear unresectable at the initial laparotomy.     

Comparison between pancreaticojejunostomy and pancreaticogastrostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Pancreatic leakage is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Pancreaticogastrostomy (PG) has been reported to be associated with a lower pancreatic leakage rate and morbidity rate than pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ). This study compared the preoperative characteristics, surgical risk factors, intraoperative parameters, and postoperative outcome between PJ and PG. METHODS: From March 1992 to March 2005, a comparative study between PJ and PG for patients with periampullary lesions undergoing PD was conducted. A total of 377 consecutive patients underwent PD. Among them, 188 patients underwent PJ and 189 underwent PG. RESULTS: The overall mortality, morbidity and pancreatic leakage following PD were 5%, 45.1% and 10.6%, respectively. The mortality, morbidity and pancreatic leakage were 8.9%, 56.4% and 17.6% in the PJ group, and 2.1%, 33.9% and 3.7% in the PG group (p < 0.001). Mean operative time was 9.3 hours versus 6.7 hours (p < 0.001), mean blood loss was 1032 mL versus 891 mL (p = 0.064) and mean hospital stay was 34.8 days versus 26.1 days (p < 0.001) in the PJ and PG groups, respectively. PJ, soft pancreas, pancreatic duct stenting, low surgical volume (< 20) and age (> 65 years) were identified as risk factors for pancreatic leakage, while PJ, soft pancreas, pancreatic duct stenting and low surgical volume (< 20) were four significant risk factors for surgical morbidity. Further, PJ, pancreatic leakage, low surgical volume (< 20) and age (> 65 years) were identified to be surgical risk factors for mortality. CONCLUSION: PG is a safer method than PJ following PD as a significantly lower rate of pancreatic leakage, surgical morbidity and mortality, shorter operation time, and shorter postoperative hospital stay are reported.     

Should advanced age alone be considered a contraindication to systemic lymphadenectomy in gynecologic oncologic patients? A university hospital experience in Turkey

In this case-control study, we aimed at analyzing the effect of pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy on intraoperative and postoperative morbidity and mortality rates in a series of elderly patients (age >/= 65 years) with gynecologic malignancies. We examined preexisting medical conditions, surgical data, intraoperative and postoperative morbidity and mortality in 37 patients aged 65 years or older with endometrial and ovarian carcinoma who underwent pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy. Control group consisted of patients between 60 and 64 years with similar malignancies. The number of patients with hypertension (P = 0.03), minor (P = 0.01) and major cardiac problems (P = 0.03), chronic obstructive lung disease (P = 0.02), and history of cerebrovascular disease (P = 0.04) were significantly higher in the study group than that in control. The median operative time was significantly shorter (160 min) in the study group than that (191 min) in control (P = 0.004). There were no significant differences between the groups with regard to blood loss, intraoperative and postoperative blood transfusion, preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin levels, yielded lymph nodes, and postoperative stay. Minor and major intraoperative and postoperative complications were not different between the groups. In these elected elderly patients, we demonstrate that pelvic and paraaortic lymph node dissection can be performed with an acceptable morbidity and mortality. We should perform pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy in the older aged patients and advanced aged should not be considered a contraindication.     

Progress in reconstruction after resection of the head of the pancreas

Fistulas of the pancreas due to dehiscence of pancreaticojejunostomy after partial pancreaticoduodenectomy caused severe postoperative complications. Whereas various methods with and without anastomosis of the pancreas are recommended to deal with the pancreatic stump, mortality rates of 20 to 75 per cent have been reported. These different results prompted us to start a prospective, nonrandomized study in which three methods of reconstructing the remnant of the pancreas involving anastomosis were compared with pancreaticocutaneous drainage without anastomosis. One hundred and thirty-one patients with partial pancreaticoduodenectomy entered this trial, 54 female and 77 male patients with an average age of 55.9 years. The indications included: 42 instances of chronic pancreatitis, 44 instances of carcinoma of the pancreas and 45, periampullary carcinoma. We performed 33 end to side pancreaticojejunostomy procedures (four fistulas of the pancreas, a mortality rate of 15.0 per cent), 31 end to end anastomoses (three fistulas of the pancreas, a mortality rate of 6.5 per cent) and 48 double loops with anastomoses of the pancreatic and hepatic duct to separate jejunal loops (nine fistulas of the pancreas, a mortality rate of 2 per cent). Nineteen patients were operated upon using external drainage of the pancreatic stump by means of Penrose drains (five fistulas of the pancreas, a mortality rate of zero per cent). To reduce the fatal risks caused by combined fistulas of the pancreas and biliary tract, the use of separate intestinal loops for anastomoses of the pancreas and biliary tract offers the best solution, since no fatal complications of the pancreaticojejunostomy were observed. In contrast, pancreaticocutaneous drainage was performed upon patients with endangered pancreatic anastomoses due to local morphologic conditions, such as tender pancreatic parenchyma or thin pancreatic ducts. The total loss of exocrine function and the high morbidity rate of 37 per cent is justified in spite of the mortality rate of zero per cent. Total pancreaticoduodenectomy, for technical reasons, represents no acceptable alternative in view of higher mortality rates.     

Evaluation of acute and late radiation morbidity in patients with gynaecologic malignancy using the RTOG criteria and Franco-Italian glossary

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate acute and late radiation morbidity in patients with gynaecologic malignancy using the RTOG criteria and Franco-Italian glossary, and to compare the usefulness and disadvantages of each system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February 2001 and February 2003, 107 patients with gynaecologic malignancy who received either radical or djuvant external radiotherapy +/- intracavitary brachytherapy or radiochemotherapy were enrolled in this study. The patients were evaluated before radiotherapy and weekly during radiotherapy for acute morbidity using the RTOG grading system and Franco-Italian glossary. Postradiotherapy evaluation was done one month after radiotherapy and at 3-month intervals thereafter. Median follow-up duration was 17 months. Morbidity was graded and recorded according to each scoring system. RESULTS: Median age was 46 years (range 37-82). Sixty-four patients (59.8%) had endometrial cancer. Radical radiotherapy was applied to 26 patients because of inoperability and 81 patients received postoperative radiotherapy. Biologically effective doses for the bladder, rectum and vagina were 98.39, 103.54 and 121.81, respectively, for late morbidity (BED3); 70.88, 72.84 and 80.92, respectively, for acute morbidity (BED10). According to the RTOG grading system acute morbidity rate for the genitourinary and gastrointestinal systems, and skin were 52.3%, 83.2% and 63.5%, respectively. Late morbidity rate for the bladder, colon-rectum, skin and vagina were 16.8%, 20.6%, 47.7% and 51.4%, respectively. The morbidity rate for the bladder, nonspecific abdominal, hematopoietic system, uterus-vulva-vagina, skin and rectum were 35.4%, 29.9%, 5.6%, 60.8%, 40.1% and 32.7%, respectively using the Franco-Italian glossary. In patients with carcinoma of the vulva--whose treatment fields were wider--acute morbidity rate according to RTOG criteria was higher (p = 0.057); photon energy (6 Mv rather than 1.25 MV) (p = 0.01) and treatment interruption of more than eight days (p = 0.019) were correlated with decreased long-term morbidity. According to the Franco-Italian glossary morbidity rates were higher in patients who received chemotherapy (p = 0.047), both external radiotherapy and brachytherapy (p = 0.022) and treatment interruption of less than eight days (p = 0.019). CONCLUSION: There is no common language between the RTOG grading system and Franco-Italian glossary for defining and scoring radiation morbidity. Up to date no standard and well-defined system has been developed for recording and reporting acute and late radiation morbidity in gynaecologic malignancy, but rather it depends on the subjective evaluation and experience of a radiation oncologist and subjective complaints of the patient, and sometimes on clinical findings. A standard and well-defined user friendly objective scoring system is needed to define and predict the morbidity rate more properly.     

Postoperative pancreatitis

Our experience with 52 patients who had postoperative pancreatitis develop during a nine year period was reviewed to characterize this group, to determine the incidence of complications and to identify variables predictive of complications. Biliary tract procedures (n = 10), colectomy (n = 9) and intestinal resection (n = 9) were the most frequently performed operations preceding pancreatitis. Thirty of the procedures were near the pancreas. Pancreatitis was detected within seven days of the operation in 26 of the patients. Sixteen patients had complications related to the pancreas, 12 had other nonlethal complications and nine died. Fourteen patients had severe pancreatitis (greater than or equal to 3 Ranson's criteria) and were more likely to have a complicated course (p less than 0.05). Complications related to the pancreas included pancreatic pseudocyst (n = 9), abscess (n = 4), fistula (n = 2) and arterial hemorrhage (n = 1). Age, operation performed, serum amylase level and frequency of hypotension, renal failure and other complications were similar in patients with and without complications related to the pancreas. A high index of suspicion must remain throughout the postoperative period to recognize inflammation of the pancreas and its complications so that prompt diagnosis and management can be undertaken.